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VARADERO, Cuba -- I walked at least a mile in The Bachelorette Canada's leading lady Jasmine Lorimer's shoes recently.

Lorimer found herself in this Caribbean resort town at the Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa as she chose between the final two contestants -- 32-year-old long-haired and buff Waterloo firefighter Kevin Wendt (aka Captain Canada); and 28-year-old sweet, motorcyle-driving Ottawa aviation engineer Mikhel Sickand -- as the W reality TV show's two-part Cuban finale wrapped up this past week. (Spoiler alert: The 28-year-old blonde hairstylist from Kenora, Ont., chose brawn over charm.) I also recently found myself in this beautiful, beachfront place a mere 3.5 flight from Toronto to see how the show's locations compared to the real thing over a three-night stay.

THE HOTEL BEACH

ON TV: The Royalton's beautiful beach, where both Kevin and Mikhel wanted to propose to Jasmine, was set-decorated with flowers, lanterns, candles and crates.

IN REAL LIFE: It doesn't need anything extra.

People relax under rows of palapas and stare at the pale blue sea while waiters bring Mojitos all day long before a gorgeous sunset brings an end to the lounging, and a start to dining, more drinking -- even dancing at the hotel lounges.

THE CUBAN SANDWICH MAKER

ON TV: MIA

IN REAL LIFE: The are many different, much fancier places to eat at the Royalton Hicacos but their "secret weapon" is the one-woman sandwich maker Tonia, who offers up delicious Cuban pork sandwiches from noon to 3 p.m. just off the lobby bar. Don't miss her, if you go.

ROMANTIC DAYTRIP TO CAYO BLANCO

ON TV: Jasmine and Mikhel drank champagne and took a private catamaran to Cayo Blanco for a sunset dinner serenaded by an acoustic Cuban trio before a romantic swim in the ocean.

IN REAL LIFE: The sea was angry that day. When we hit a wave en route to snorkelling and eating at a buffet, I went flying across the top deck and almost into the sea. Our Nexus guide Jorge saved me from going overboard (but the same can't be said for my dearly departed iPhone). Our captain felt horrible, and snorkelled for an hour looking for my phone to no avail. But later, he caught lobster and ade ceviche for us. Lose-Win.

HOT DAYS, COOL CARS

ON TV: Jasmine and Kevin took a vintage car ("old- timers," as Jorge called them), to Havana but unless you have a big hat and good sunscreen, two hours in a convertible could equal a bad sunburn.

IN REAL LIFE: We took a van, but did a classic car tour once we arrived. We also got to see the incredible Havana forest, which looks like something out of a Tim Burton film (sadly a bit smelly due to garbage).

THE FORTUNE TELLER

ON TV: Jasmine and Kevin had their fortunes told by a cigar-chomping fortune teller in the middle of Cathedral Sq., who said they should live close -- but not too close -- to their families and predicted they would have "beautiful children," three sons, twins, plus good fortune.

IN REAL LIFE: Maureen, the brave one in our party, went to the same fortune teller who actually hangs out in the shade beside the square and is told she'll have a daughter.

NEED TO KNOW

Sunwing Airlines/Royalton Hicacos Resort & Spa

Upgrade to Elite Plus for more legroom, priority check in and luggage. The Royalton Hicacos is about 40 minutes away by NexusTours transfer.

Excursions

NexusTours can take you on an hour-long (one way) catamaran trip to Playa Coco, or provide a two-hour (one way) ride to Havana. I'd recommend the latter.

Eat here in Havana

-- Lunch at La Bodeguita del Medio in Old Havana, where the mojito was invented. A band plays and everyone is encouraged to write on the walls.

-- Dinner on the divine terrace at the city's best restaurant, La Guarida, where Madonna celebrated her 58th birthday. The gorgeous snapper tartar and honey-lemon chicken had me wanting to come back for more to this elegant space.